UNIT 5 MOSAIC WORK
Key Unit competence: To be able to make mosaic piece of works by
using colouring small pieces of different mediums.
Mosaic is an artwork piece made by using only one medium. Piece of one type of
material are cut into small pieces and closely stuck together to produce a pattern
or design. It differs from collage in that while mosaic uses one type of medium, a
collage uses different kinds of media on the same picture.
Color and Shape are very important elements in mosaic.
The cut out pieces that are used to make the decorative designs in mosaic are
referred to as tesserae. The original tesserae used were of glass, and stone
embedded into motor. Other materials that can be cut into tesserae include dry
banana fibers, egg shells, colored paper, beads and seeds.
Mosaic works can be used to decorate wall, pavements, floors and also kitchens
and bathrooms in modern building technology. Household items can be decorated
using this style of art. Wall hangings and pictures are also made.
5.1.1. Materials, Tools and Equipment used in making mosaic.
The materials used in making mosaic depend on the theme of the artwork. The
one thing to remember here is that only one type of material is needed to create
a mosaic work of art. Creative exploration of different materials could produce
interesting surprises in mosaic. Experimentations on types of papers, seeds,
pebbles, plastic pieces, egg shells, broken glass, tile and ceramic pieces can
produce interesting designs. An artist should be as free as possible in exploring
materials in the environment. When mosaic is done using stone or glass as
strong cardboard, wood, or plywood base should be used. Cement or plaster is
to be applied and then tesserae embedded onto it. For paper mosaic, one needs
firm paper or cardboard to withstand the wetness of the adhesive. This is to say
that, the base of any mosaic work depend is dependent on the type one type of
materials being used.
In order to produce different color effects, paint could be used.
Mosaic art requires few tools. They include, hammer, saw, for the wooden frame.
Glass cutters for the glass tesserae, knives and blades, scissors for the paper,
glues, cement and other soft materials.
Containers and brushes are used for painting and vanishing.
5.1.2. Process of making mosaic work
1. Collect as many different kinds of materials as possible.
2. Make sketch of the desired design and color scheme.
3. Sort out the materials and put each type in a different container.
4. Colour them if desired or sort them according to the color.
5. Apply the available adhesive onto the surface.
6. Stick the materials taking great care of the interstices.
7. Vanish the mosaic work to finish it.
8. Mount and display the work
5.1.3. Process of making Stone and Glass mosaic.
1. Make sketch of design to be produced showing the respective colors
(color scheme)
2. Break the stones or glass using wood or plywood.
3. Paint the tesserae if required.
4. Make wood frame and fix the base using wood or plywood.
5. Make the sand and cement mixture and pour it onto the base.
6. Embed the teseserea onto the cement mixture and create the desired
design according to the sketch.
7. Leave to dry and cure before moving the work to its display position.
5.1.4. Decoration forms using mosaic art.
Mosaic art can be used to make domestic forms beautiful. Artists use seeds to
beautify picture frames and wall hangings. Flower vases, handles and frames and
door frames are also made to look beautiful using mosaic art. Clay pots can be
covered with thin clay or cement, and then glass tesserae or beads embedded
into them. Traditional gourds and materials culture are covered with adhesive andthen different seeds and other materials stuck on them
Remember that mosaic is a piece of art or image made from the assembling
of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials. It is often used in
decorative art or as interior decoration. Most mosaics are made of small, flat,
roughly square, pieces of stone or glass of especially floor mosaics, are made ofsmall rounded pieces of stone and called pebble mosaic
